Auto repair shop owner dead after building explosion in Excelsior Springs

EXCELSIOR SPRINGS, Missouri (KCTV) – One man is dead and another injured after an explosion at Hart’s Auto Repair in Excelsior Springs, Missouri.

The explosion occurred shortly after 1 p.m. on Wednesday.

According to police, the store owner was cutting into a 55-gallon drum with a cutting torch when the drum exploded, starting the fire.

“It’s devastating,” said Nancy Walker, who lives nearby. “I’m sorry. My heart goes out to them.”

People who live nearby describe hearing a “bang” and then seeing smoke. A nearby residence was temporarily evacuated before authorities were able to control the fire at the business.

“I know we escaped from this,” said Drayven Killion, who was evacuated. “We got away from it and so did my neighbors.”

READ MORE: One dead, several injured in a fiery explosion at the Excelsior Springs auto body shop

“There was a lot of smoke,” Walker said. “It would either be dark black or lighter. I had to go into the house because it was affecting my eyes and throat.”

Police and community members are now asking the public to keep the victims in their thoughts and prayers.

“The family was here and witnessed a lot of what happened here today,” Lt. Ryan Dowdy of the Excelsior Springs Police Department. “You’re dealing with a lot.”

According to police, the injured man was taken to a local hospital where he was treated for burns to his arm.

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